Industrial truck



E. H. REMDE INDUSTRIAL TRUCK Filed Dec. 1924 March 20, 1928.

2 sneets-sneez 1 INVENTOR.

m! l l lll| b w l I a .1 H w H w QMAN v A m Mr 1 r NT 3 aw u M1 \w NM.

A TTORNEY.

arch 20, 1928.

' INVENTOR. f W

ATTORNEY.

B may v EDWARD H.

REMDE, OECLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE BAKEn-jnAuLANeeom- PANY, or C EVELAND, OHIO, acoRPoRATIoN or OHIO. r

rzunniszruuar. muck.

Application filed December 31,1924," Serial mama. i

. This invention relates to, an industrial truck capable of engaging and operating.

vehicles'commonly, know as trailers.

' One object of the inventionis .to provide ,1 a tractor with improved mechanism for-em.

\ insure long life i and efficient lubrication thereof. a 1

Other objects of the invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the'art to which my invention relates from the following de- -'.scription taken in connection with the ac:

- companyiug drawings, wherein uFig. lis a side view of truck or tractor and a trailer,'and the connecting means between them embodying my invention.

Fig; 2 is a top plan view of the tractor. 1 Fig. 3 isan'end view of the tractor,

'Fig. 4: is aview, partly in section, of the power mechanism and the operating means for the connecting means. 1 Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan of parts shown in Fig. 4, with parts of the operating means in the position they occupy when the trailer is disengaged, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 a

Fig. 6 IS a section ou'the line -.6- -6 of Fig. 4. a 1 r 1 Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7.? of Fig. 4. y i r In the drawings, 1 indicates a frame of any desired construction, preferably formed from angle or channel bars suitably connected in rigid "relation. The frame 1 may comprise a pair of spaced longitudinally extending channel bars 1 connected by suitable cross members and a pair of U-shaped channel members .2 arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal members 1 at or near the forward ends thereof and forming with the longitudinal'members a relatively wide frame section to support a source of power": supply, a which i the present illusf trated form of construction is shown as cou siisting of a pluralityof electric storage. batterms 4. The source of 'powermaybejcoveredbya sheet metal'casing 3. The. nu-Q merals 5, 6, indicate front and rear wheels for supporting the frame 1, there preferably being provideda pairjof front wheels 5 and extend laterally beyond the plane of the wheels so 'as toprotect themin the opera:

tion of the tractor. Y

pair of rear wheels 6 of the same size and tread. The U-shaped members Q'preferably,

17 indicates a support depending from the rear end of the frame 1, preferably-at a point beyond the rear wheels 6, and adapted, to, support a connecting means, indicated as an entirety at 8, for connecting the tractor. to

a trailer 9, whereby the lattermfiybepulled port7 preferably comprises-a pair otp'lates 7 riveted or otherwise securedto the Web.

- or pushed from place to place. The sup-Q I lower ends and near their outer. edges, the

plates 7 are provided with aligned hearings to rece ve and support the opposite cnd'sofa shaft 7*, which forms a fulcrum, as will laterappeur. Thebearings for the shaft 7.eoustitute openings formed-in theplates 7 and these openings are preferably:reinforced by collars 7? secured concentrically of the bear \ngopenings in a well-knownmanner. By preference the longitudinal. bars1 are ar' ranged so that their channels oppose each other,* this arrangementv permitting the plates .7 to besecured to the outer faces of the webs of the bars and thus spaced-apart the maximum distance, :and also permitting the front ends of the bars '1 and the, adj acontends of the U-sha-p ed bars '2 to be c0 1 nected in rigid relation in a simple manner.

Either or both pairs of wheels 5, 6, may be driven and either or both pairs thereof may be mounted to swing about vertical axes for steering purposes. In the illustrated form of construction, bothpairsof wheels aresteerable and the rear pair thereof are driven by a motor 10, preferably of the electric type, so as toreceive current from the electric batteries 4.. 11, indicates an axle mechanism between the motor l0 and wheels 6, the casing of the motor being preferably rigidlyv connected to the housing of the axle as a unit" by suitable suspension mechanism indicated as an entirety at 12. 11 indicates seats for the lower ends of suitable coiled springs 11 interposed between the housing for the axle mechanism 11 and frame 1. These seats 11 are aligned with casings 11 carried by'the frame 1, which casings form seats for the upper ends of .the springs 11'. The casings 11 may comprise inverted cups, each formed integrally with a bracket that rilgidly secured to the adjacent channel )ar The axle for the wheels 5 comprises a casting 11 hay ing laterally extending members to which the wheels 5 are pivoted by suitable knuckle joints, whereby they may be operated for steering.

The casting 11' has a shape substantially corresponding to the housing for the axle mechanism 11 so that a suspension mecha nism 12 similar to that employed for the latter may be used. The motor 10, axle mechanism 11, casting 11, and suspension mechanisms-'12; 12', and also the pivot connections between the axle mechanism 11 and castingll and wheels 6, 5. respectively, are preferably substantially similar to like elements and mechanisms disclosed in a copending application filed jointly by myself and John, H. Hertner, Serial No- 420,630 (see Letters Patent No. 1,628,145), for which reason a detailillustration and a description thereof will not be necessary herein;

The steering connections between the pairs of wheels preferably comprise the following instrumentalities: 13 indicates an armcon-. nected to the spindle of each wheel, the arm for one wheel being connected by a tie-rod 14 to the arm of the. other wheel of the pair. '15 indicates a rocker extending along one side of the frame 1 and rotativelysupported by spaced bearings 16, each bearing preferably comprising 'a strap 16% fixed to a bracket 16 depending from the adjacent longitudinal bar 1, as shown in Fig". 11-. 17 indicates levers connected to the rocker 15 and o erated thereby and each pivotallv connected at its lower free end to the adjacent arm 13 connected to one of the'wheels or the tie-rod for the'adjacent pair of wheels.

-'lhe'levers 17 may be connected to the rocker 15 on the outer sides of the strap lti so that through their engagement therewith they will prevent endwise movement of the rocker 15 in its bearings.

18 indicates a pair of uprlghts disposed at the front end of the frame and preferably rigidly connected to the longitudinal bars 1. The uprights 18 extend above the frame 1 to provide a suitable support for a dash 19; they also extend below the frame 1 and form a support for a pair of plates 20, which in turn support a pair of brackets 21. 22 indicates a shaft rotatably mounted at its opposite ends in the brackets 21. 23 indicates a platform or base connected with the shaft 22 and adapted to be supported in hori-' zontal position as shown in Fig. 1. By mounting the platform on the shaft 22, it may be swung upwardly when the tractor. is not in use, a counterweight being preferably employed to hold the platforn'rin its non-use position. 25 indicates as an entirety a controllerfor the motor 10. The controller is mounted in a suitable casing which may be supported uponthe uprights 18. The shaft 25 of the controller is connected by an arm 26 and link 27 'to a handle 28, pivotally mounted upon a bracket 28 secured to the dash 19. v

29 indicates a braking mechanism preferably engaging a driven element of the motor 10 such as a brake wheel 29 connected to the motor shaft, to stop the tractor or to hold it against movement. The braking mechanism may comprise the following instrumentalities: 30 indicates a foot pedal pivotally mounted upon the shaft 22 and operatively connected to a link 30 which in turn is connected to a bell crank 31. 32 indi- .cates a link or red connected at one end to the bell crank 31 and at its opposite end connected to a system of levers 32 which in turn operate. the brake shoes 83 into and out of engagement with the brake wheel 29*, the latter being mounted on an extended end of the shaft of the motor 1O. 34 indicates a spring connected at one end to the frame 1 and at its opposite end connected to the link or rod 32 and normally tending to apply the brake shoes 33. The spring 34', when acting to apply the brake shoes, will swing the foot pedal 30 to the position shown in Fig.1; accordingly, it will be seen that when the operative who stands'on the platform 23 to operate the tractor) pushes the pedal downwardly, the brake mechanism will be operated, in opposition to the tension of thespring 34 to release the brake shoes, thereby permitting the driving of the truck or tractor from place to place.

35 indicates an automatic switch mechanism connected by a rod 36 to the-braking mechanism 29 and operated thereby to open the circuit to the motor 10 when the brake shoes33 are applied and to close the circuit. The.

when the "brake shoes are released. switch-mechanism 35 may also be interconnected with the controller 25 or a movable element thereof to prevent closing of the circuit by the operation by the controller' lease the brake, this interconnection thereby taneously through the steering connections tween .the arms 40, 40";

locking means between the arm 40 and already described; these connections being so arranged that the pairs of wheels will be swung in opposite directions relative to each other to insure steering in relatively small areas.

The trailer 9 may be of any desired constr'uctionand size, but preferably comprises a box body 9" adapted to receive and hold the bodies 'or materials to be transported. The body 9 may be supported by two or more wheels 9, but in the illustrated form of construction it is supported by a single pair of wheels disposed near its rear end and its front end is supported by one or more legs 39. When the trailer is supported in this manner, the means 8 for connecting the trailer to the tractor operate to lift the front end of the trailer 9 off the floor (that is, to dis-engage the leg or legs 39 there- -from) and to support such end while the trailerisbeing pulled or pushed by the tractor. While the illustrated form of construction is provided for economical reasons, it

will be obvious that the leg or legs may be substituted by one or a pair of wheels, rollers or castors, as desired. The wheels 9 are mounted upon an axle 9.

Of the means 8 for connecting the tractor and trailer, 40 indicates a memberpivotally mounted on the transverse shaft 7 b and having an outwardly extending arm 40 adapted to be projected below and into lifting relation to the underside of the trailer 9, so as to engage therewith and lift its front end to dis-engage the leg or legs 39 from the floor. 40" indicates an upstanding power arm, having fixed angular relation to the arm 41). being preferably formed integrally The member 40 lSfOllHBfl with a transverse opening through which the' therewith.

transverse shaft? extends, this opening being preferably disposed at the angle be- 41 indicates intertrailer 9 and arranged to automatically engage when the arm 40 is operated upwardly and to automatically dis-engage when the arm is operated downwardly. The interlocking means 41 may comprise a pin carried by one of the parts and walls of'an opening formed in the other part; for example, I

c The arm 40 preferably comprises a relaments, the

provide a pin 41 rigidly. secured to and depending from near its front end and substantially midway between its sides and form'in the outer portion of the arm 40 an opening 41 of a size to receive the pin 41, so that when the arm 40 is operated about the shaft 7, up-' wardly, the pin will project into the opening 41", as shown in Fig. 1.

the-bottom of the trailer 9 is swung upwardly, the tractor may be moved outwardly; as a result of these movepin 41 will automatically be guided by the walls of the channel 40 into the-opening 41". The arm 40 may have a width substantially equal to the" space between the bearings carried by the plates 7 or the re-inforcing collars therefor, thereby providing a relatively long bearing for the member 40 to swing on and'preventing endwise movement thereof by its engagement with the plates 7*. i

42 indicates as an entirety a power mechanism operatingthrough an operating means (indicated as an entirety at '57) to be later 1 described to swing or rock the combined connect-ing and lifting member 40 to raiseand lower the free end of its arm40,fwherethe other, or lowers such end to effect their dis-connection. Of these means, 43 indicates a. bed mounted on' the frame 1 'rearwardlyof the battery housing 3 and of a height to support the operatingmeans, to be later referred to, horizontally in aplane' substantially cutting the upper end of the arm 40*. ."he bed 43 may be constructed inany desired. manner but preferably comprises a pair of side walls 43 overlapping the bars- 1" and riveted thereto along; their lower edges and a transverse plate 43" connected to the upper edges ofthe walls 43 44 ru dirates a casing having a plurality of feet '44 secured by ca p screws 44" to the bed 43.

The casing 44 colnprises'a main-section 4.5 enclosing a suitable reduction gearing 46 and a tubular section 45 for a propellr'shaft 47. The casing 44 is closed by cover-44'. '48 indicates a motor, preferably of the electric type. rigidly connected to the casing 44 by a suitable clan'iping means, for example. a strap orband 48*, the motorbeing supplied with current from the batteries 4. Theshaft 48 of the motor 48 is operativelyconnected 4 inone direction by a spring which normally.

to a friction clutch 49 and transmits its power therethrough to a shaft 50, to which is secured a pinion 51. The pinion 51 meshes with a gear 52 mounted on a counter-shaft 53, which in turn carries a pinion 54 meshing with agear 55 on the inner end of the propeller shaft 47. The shafts 50, 53 and acts on the elements to brake the rotation of the shaft or hold it against movement. The winding of the electro magnet for the clutch is connected in series with the motor 48 so that when current is supplied thereto, the clutch will be released. As'this clutch mechanism forms the subject-matter of a separate co-pending application no claims thereto are made herein and it will not be. necessary to illustrate and describe the same in detail in this application.

Of the operating means 57, 58 "indicates a base rigidly secured by a plurality; of cap .screws 58 to the bed 43 and arranged rearward of the power mechanism 46 and motor 48. 59, 59', indicatea pair of bearing boxes positioned at or near the opposite ends of the base 58 and secured thereto by cap screws 59 (see F ig. 7) and preferably arranged in axial alignment with the propeller shaft 47.

The bearing 60 in the box 59 may comprise a bronze sleeve; whereas the bearing, 60 in the box 59 preferably comprises a ball-bearing capable of taking thrusts of the load when the front end of the trailer 9 is being lifted or lowered, asalready described. The bearings 60, 60', support a screw 61 connected at its inner end by a flexible joint 62 with the outer end of; the propeller shaft 47. 63 indicates a nut threaded on the screw 61. 64, 64, indicate pins projecting from the opposite sides of the nut 63 and forming pivots for the inner ends of thrust members or rods 65, 65'. v

The outer ends of the members or rods 65, 65', are disposed upon opposite sides of the "arm 40 and are pivotally connected thereto by a bolt or pin 66. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the opening'for the bolt or pin 66 extends transversely through the arm 40 at or adjacent its upper free end so as to permit the application of maximum leverage thereon. The thrust rods 65, 65, may

be locked on the pins 64 and bolt 66 by.

washers and cotter pins.

67 indicates as an" entirety a limit switch mechanism for stopping the motor 48 when mam-14o,

driven in either direction upon movement of the nut 63 to a pre-determined position as a result of the rotation of the screw 61. The limit switch. mechanism 67 comprises two pairs of contacts through one of whicl1.current flows to the motor 48 to effect driving thereof in either direction. The pairs of contacts are mounted in a casing 68 supported by an angle plate on the bed 43'. 69 indicates a shaft provided on its outer end with a crank arm 70. The inner end of the shaft isprovided with suitable operating devices arrangedto engage one contact of either pair when the shaft is rocked in one direction.- The free end of the crank arm 70 is disposed in the path of movement of a pair of lugs 71 spaced apart and extending laterally from the adjacent thrust link or rod 65 so that one or the other thereof will engage the arm and rock the shaft 69 accordingly as the nut moves in one direction or the other. The lugs'i'l are preferably positioned so as to cut out the current to the motor 48 in the event the combined connecting and lifting member 40 is moved in either direction to a position beyond that shown in full and dotted lines in Fig. 1."

The limit switch mechanism will therefore prevent lifting of the trailer. 9 unduly when the arm 40 swings upwardly and will prevent damage due to its contact with the floor when the arm 40*}u's operated in the downward direction.

72 indicates as an entirety a hood or'boot for enclosing the screw 61 thereby preventing foreignmatter lodging between the nut 63 and screw 61 and the bearings for the latter or becoming mixed with the lubricant for these parts and thus increasing wear thereon. I preferably provide an.enclosing hood or boot between each side of the nut and the adjacent bearing box, this arrangement leaving the nut 63 exposed for connec;

tion' with the thrust links and unobstructed movement of the latter. For this purpose,

each end of the nut 63 and the opposing end of the bearing box 59 or 59 is provided with a collar'73 having stepped annular walls forming seats 74, .75. The opposing seats 74 receive and support the opposite ends of a coiled expansion spring 76 and the opposing seats 75 receive and support the opposite endsfof a sleeve 77 formcdfrom flexible material. such as cloth, canvas, rubber and the like, the ends of the sleeve being preferably secured to theseats bysections of wire or other clamping means. The sleeve 77 is formed of a material that is capable of keeping out foreign matter, for purposes already described, whereas thepurpose of thespring 76 is to maintain all portions of the sleeve out of contact with thescrew 61 at all times;

themselves to the varyingpositions of the nut relative toboth bearing boxes at all By using coiled springs, they accommodate dash 19 within reach ing on the platform 23.

and positive manner.

1 ,eeaieo times while maintaining the sleeve out of contact with and in substantially concentric relation to the screw 61. I prefer to use a coiled spring formed from flat stock having coils leading from'the centerporti0n of the stock outwardly. In this form of construction, the convolutions of the spring have an overlapping relation whencompressed and will tliusoccupy less space than would be required for a coiled spring 'of the usual My construction oftractor is'relatively simple; at the same time I am able to engage and lift one end of a trailer in a ready the connecting and lifting member IOP'thO 'trailer is provided with relatively long arms, one serving as a work arm to engage and lift the trailer and connect it to the tractor and the other serving as a power arm, thereby insuring maximum leverage. I also mount the operating means for, applying power to the power arm 40! in a plane that is at substantially right angles to the power arm when in; the position it occupies when supporting thefend .of the trailer in elevated position, so that maximum power is applied to the lifting and connecting member when it is supporting the maximum load.

To those skilled in the art to which my invention'relates, many changes and modifications' inconstruction and widely dilferii'ig embodiments and applications of the inven-- tion will suggest themselves without. depart-' ing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative andnot intended to be inany sense limitin What I claim is: I

i '1. In apparatus of the classdescribed, the

combination of a truck frame, supporting wheels therefor, means for driving certain of saidwheels, acombined connecting and lifting device pivotally mounted at the rear end of said frame and having an outwardly extending arm adapted tobe projected into lifting relationship with a trailer and an upwardly extending-arm, and means connected to the latter'arm for swinging said device to lift said trailer and to connect it and said frame together.

" '2. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a truck frame, supporting wheels therefor, means for driving certain In my construction,

'on said screwpand a link pivotallcy conof'said wheels, a combined connecting and lifting device pivotally mounted at the rear end of said frame and having an outwardly extending arm adapted to be a projected into lifting relationship with a trailer and an upwardly extending arm, and means'connected to the latter'arin for swinging said device to lift said'trailer and connect it and said frame together, said outwardly extend-- iiig arm being provided with an element which interengages'ivith an element on the trailer when said device is operated.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a' truck frame, supporting wheels therefor, means for driving certain of said wheels, a combined connecting and lifting device'pivotally mounted'at the rear end-of said frame and having an outwardly extending arm and adapted to be projected into lifting relationship with a trailer and an upwardly extending arm, a screw supported at its opposite ends on said frame,a power means for rotating said screw, a nut nected to said nut and said upwar tending arm. 1 '4, In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, supporting wheels therefor,-means for driving certainof said wheels, a'device swingably mounted at one end of said frame and having an outwardly extending arm formed with anopening in its free end to receive an element carried by a trailer and guide walls extending from a point inwardly of said opening to the latter,- and means on said frame for operating said device. 7

5. In apparatus of the class descriliied, the combination of'a' frame, supporting wheels iillQl'efOl,lIl8flllS for driving certain of said \Yl168lS, ti device swingably mounted at the rear end ofsaid frame'and-comprising a lifting-and connecting arm and a power arni,

operating means on said frame connected to the free end of Silltl power arni, and means provided onthe outer end of said lifting and connecting arm arrangedto interlock with an element on the trailer to be "engaged,-

said lifting and connecting arm being provided-with guides for the interlocking element on the trailer extending. froina point remote from the free end of the arm longitudinally to the vinterlocking element carried by it. v, i v

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefonmeans for driving certain of said wheels, a pair of plates de pending from the rear end of said frame at a point beyond the rear supporting wheels,

a device swingably mounted between said plates ona shaft disposed near the lower ends thereof and supported thereby, saidv device comprising a laterally extending connecting arm and an upwardly extending ends thereof and supported thereby, said de-- vice comprising a laterally extending connecting arm and an upwardly extending power arm, and operating means on said frame connected to the free end' of said power arm and operating therethrough to swing said connecting arm upwardly to lift the trailer and connect the latter and said frame together, said connecting arm being formed in its free end with an opening to receive a projection on the trailer when the arm is operated.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefor, means for driving certain of said wheels, a pair of plates depending from the rear end of said frame at a point beyond the rear supporting wheels. a device swingably mounted between said plates on a shaft disposed near the lower ends thereof and supported thereby, said device comprising a laterally extending connecting arm and an upwardly extending power arm, and an operating n'ieclianism having an element connected to the upper end of said power arm and movable in a plane that is approximately atright angles to the path of movement thereof.

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefor, means for driving certain of said wheels, a pair of plates depending from the rear end of said frame at a point beyond the rear supporting wheels, a device swingably mounted between said plates on a shaft disposed near the lower ends thereof and supported thereby, said device comprising a laterally extending connecting arm and an upwardly extending power arm, a power means, and an operating mechanism having an element connected to the upper end of said power arm-and movable in a plane that is approximately at right angles to the path of movement thereiof, said operating mechamsn'i comprising a screw supported at-its opposite endsand connected to said power means, a nut operated by said screw and a link pivotally connected to said nut and the upper end of said power arm.

Hi. In apparatus of the'class described,

the combination of a frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefor, means for driving certain of said wheels, supporting means depending from the rear end of said frame at a point beyond the rear supporting wheels, a device swingably mounted on a shaft disposed near the lower portion of said supporting means and supported thereby, said device comprising a, laterally extending connecting arm and an upwardly extending power arm, and an operating mechanism having an element connected to the upper end of said power arm and movable in a plane that is approximately at right angles to the path of movement thereof, said operating mechanism comprising ascrew supported at its opposite ends in bearings and a nut operatively connected to said power arm, and an enclosing hood for said screw between said nut and each bearing.

11. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefor, means for driving certain of said wheels, supporting means depending from the rear end of said frame at a point beyond the rear supporting wheels, a device swingably mounted on a shaft disposed near the lower portion of said supporting means and supported thereby, said device comprising a laterally extending COIIDQCtiIlg arm and an upwardly extending power arm, and an operating mechanism having' an element connected to the upper end of said power arm and movable in a plane that is approximately at right angles to the path of movement thereof, said operating mechanism comprising a screw supported at its opposite ends in bearings and a nut op'eratively connected to said power arm, an enclosing hood for said screw between said nut and each bearing, and

,means within each said hood and supported by said nutand bearing for maintaining the hood in expanded position. i

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefor, meansfor driving certain of said wheels, supporting means depending from the rear end of said frame at a point beyond the rear supporting wheels, a device swingably mounted on a shaft disposed near the lower portion of said supporting means and supported thereby, said device comprising a laterally extending connecting arm and an upwardly extending power arm, and an operating mechanism having an element connected to the upper end of said power arm and movable in a plane that is approximately at right angles to the path of movement thereof, said op erating mechanism comprising a screw sup- .ported at its opposite ends in bearings and a nut operatively connected to said power arm, an enclosing hood for said screw be tween said nut and each bearing, and an I so" "and operated thereby along said bed, and

expansion spring within each said hood and supported by said nut and bearing for maintaining the hood in expanded position.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, front and rear supporting wheels therefor, means for driving certain of said wheels, a bed on the rear portion of said frame, a support disposed rearward of and depending from the rear end of said frame, adevice swingably mounted on the lower end of said support, said device comprising a laterally extending lifting and connecting arm and a power arm extending upwardly to a point above said bed, and means pp sapid bed connected with said power arm for swinging said device.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame, front and rear supportingwheels therefor, means for driv-- ing certain of said wheels, a bed on the rear portion of said frame, a support disposed rearward of and depending from'the rear end of said frame, a device swingably mounted on the lower end of said support, said device comprising a laterally extending lifting and connecting arm and a-power arm extending upwardly to a point above said bed, power means on said bed, a screw mounted on said bed and connected 'to the shaft of said power means, a nut engagingsaid screw a pair of thrust links pivotally connected to said nut and said power arm.

15. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a screw and a nut, means for driving one of said elements, a pair of abutment members dis osed at opposite sides of said nut. and flexibIe enclosure means hetween each side of said nut and the adjacent abutment member.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a screw and a nut, means for driving one of said elements, a'pair of abutment members disposed at opposite sides.

of said nut, flexible enclosure means between each side of said nut and the adjacent abutment member, and expansible'means within one of said enclosure means for maintaining it out of contact with said screw.

18. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a stationary member and a movable member, a driven element extending through said members, for operating said mova le member and aflexible device supported between said members and enclosing said driven element.

19. In apparatus of the class described, 4

the combination of a stationary member and a movable member, a driven element extend-' ing through said members, for operating said movable member and a flexible device supported between said members and enclosing said driven element, and expansiblc means within said device and engaging said members and maintaining it out of contact with said driven element.

In testimony whereof, I have I hereunto I subscribed my name.

- EDWARD H. REM-DE. 

